BRITISH BUDGET

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1928, Page 2

BRITISH BUDGET

DUTY ON LIGHTERS. (United Press Association.—By Electric Te 1 eg rapli.—Copy rigli t.) *- LONDON. May 3. There was in the House of Commons an amusing debate on the Budget proposal to tax mechanical lighters. Tlio Liberals classed this as protection lor the match industry, while the Labour members said that it was a fine imposed on the worker’s wife who dared to use a lighter instead of matches to light her gas stove. The Government, they said, would next propose to tax paper spills. A Conservative, Mr Rainsden. proposed that the duty should be 3d instead of (id, as proposed hy Mr Churchill.

Mr Samuel, who was in charge during Mr Churchill’s absence, owing to an attack of influenza, after declining an amendment, said that on such a small matter lie would accept no amendment.

Thereupon the Opposition demanded an adjournment, complaining that Mi Samuel was playing last and loose with the House in Mr Churchill’s absence. The adjournment was adopted without a division.

Mr Kyevs .Monsell, the Government Whip, ' protested against what lie termed a waste of time oil such a trivial matt'er-as this tax. lie explained the cause of Mr Churchill’s absence. He suggested that Mr Uamsden withdraw his amendment, and

raise it later, on life Finance Bill. Mr Rainsden agreed to this. A climax to the comedy came when an amendment moved by Mr Alexander (Labour) was being considered. A man in tlio Strangers’ Gallery suddenly shouted. “Will you shut up, you bligliter!” He then burled bis soft hat into the Chamber. The hat alighted in the middle of the Unionist benches. When two attendants approached the Strangers’ Gallery, the intruder walked out quietly. Mr Samuel accepted Alexandei s amendment that the duty should not apply to the mechanical lighters attached to the coal miners’ lamps. Then the House adjourned.